Thomas A. Koeritz

Northrop, MN

Funeral Services for Thomas A. Koeritz, 72, of Northrop, MN, will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025, at St. James Lutheran Church in Northrop, MN. Burial will be held at St. James Lutheran Cemetery in rural Northrop, MN. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Those unable to attend the service but wishing to view the service may do so by going to the St. James Lutheran Church Facebook page by using the following link: https://www.facebook.com/sjlnorthrop. Tom passed away Friday morning, August 29, 2025, at his home in Northrop. The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fairmont is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Thomas Arthur Koeritz was born on July 24, 1953, at Fairmont Community Hospital, Fairmont, Minnesota, to Vinton and Lila Mae (Becker) Koeritz. He was baptized on August 9, 1953, by Rev. O.H. Cloeter at St. James Lutheran Church, Northrop, Minnesota. He was confirmed March 19, 1967, by Rev. Erwin Ruhlig.

Tom attended St. James Lutheran School, Northrop. He graduated from Fairmont Senior High School in 1971 and then attended Jackson Vocational/Technical School where he received a degree in accounting and also pursued classes in early computer programming.

He was hired by the City of Fairmont in 1972, first as a meter reader, but then was asked to put his computer knowledge to use in order to program and develop Fairmont's first computerized utility billing system. He stayed with the city for 42 years, working in various positions mainly involving Fairmont Public Utilities. He also served on the board of directors for the Southern MN Municipal Power Agency for 12 years.

On June 25, 1988, Tom (Northrop's town bachelor) was united in marriage to Heidi Halverson (Northrop's local schoolmarm) at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Truman, MN. They made their home in Northrop and were blessed with two children, Hayley and Mason.

Tom was proud to have lived his whole life in Northrop, serving on the Northrop Fire Department and the Northrop City Council for many years. He helped preserve the city's history by authoring a book containing many photos and historical information about Northrop.

Faith was an important part of Tom's life. He was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church in Northrop where he held many offices, including that of church treasurer. His wife also volunteered him to sing in the church choir.

Tom loved to golf with a special group of friends at Rose Lake Golf Course. He enjoyed being outside working in the garden, getting his knees dirty, and giving his precious grandsons lawnmower rides.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Heidi of Northrop; children Hayley (Paul) Luther of Northrop, and Mason (Kristin) Koeritz of Ames, IA; grandsons, Grant and Max Luther; in-laws Warren & Carole Schultze of Northrop, Scott & Dawn Halverson of Truman, MN, and Candace Doerfler of Lancaster, CA.

He was preceded in death by his parents Vinton (Butch) and Lila Mae Koeritz; sister, Linda Schultze; parents-in-law Luverne (Herky) and Arlys Halverson; and brother-in-law Warren Doerfler.

Memorials preferred to St. James Lutheran Church & School, Martin Luther High School, or UHD Hospice.